Tennessee Lady Vols guard/forward Rennia Davis spoke to the media after 3-seed UT’s 87-62 win over 14-seed Middle Tennessee in Austin, TX in the 1st Round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. The Lady Vols will play 6-seed Michigan Tuesday in the 2nd Round. Video is approved for use from the NCAA Digital Media Hub.
Gary LeVox has released his first post-Rascal Flatts project with his inspirational, faith-driven song “The Distance.”
Talking about the new track, Gary says, “With the struggles and battles so many have gone through this past year and taken over people’s everyday lives, this felt like a true song of hope. With this song, the message we wanted to share is that our hope is not lost, it’s found on the cross. And with God, we can go the distance. Don’t ever give up.”
Gary also shares, “’The Distance’ was the first song written for my solo chapter,” and when it came out on Friday Gary exclaimed, “It’s finally here y’all. I don’t have the words to describe how happy I am at this very moment. This is the start of a journey that I want to enjoy with each and every one of you that have supported me through the years. ‘The Distance’ is now available and I want to know your honest opinions on the song. God bless all of you and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I truly love ya!”
Check out the new song “The Distance” from Gary LeVox right here…
Photo Courtesy of Big Machine Records
ATHENS, Ga. — An incredible pitching performance from Blade Tidwell and a big day at the plate from Drew Gilbert led No. 10 Tennessee to a 4-1 victory in Sunday’s rubber game against No. 7 Georgia on Sunday afternoon at Foley Field in Athens.
Tidwell was dominant in his first SEC start, allowing just one run on four hits in a career-high 7.1 innings. The true freshman right hander also had six strikeouts and improved to 3-1 on the year with the win.
Gilbert had three of UT’s eight hits and drove in a pair of runs to provide some insurance for the pitching staff. Pete Derkay, Luc Lipcius and Connor Pavolony all had a hit and scored runs, as well.
For the third straight game, the Vols took a first-inning lead. After a strikeout to start the day, Tennessee loaded the bases with three straight singles by Derkay, Rucker and Gilbert before Jordan Beck drove in the game’s first run with an RBI fielder’s choice to make it 1-0. UT was unable to do any more damage in the inning as Georgia starter Jonathan Cannon struck out Max Ferguson to end the threat.
Cannon was credited with the loss after allowing two runs on five hits in 3.2 innings of work.
The Vols (17-4 // 2-1 SEC) extended their lead to three with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Lipcius started the inning with a walk and ended up scoring on a wild pitch to make it 2-0. After two more walks, Gilbert continued his big day with an RBI single to score Derkay from second and give the Big Orange a 3-0 lead.
The Bulldogs (14-5 // 1-2 SEC) cut their deficit to two with a run in the sixth. Ben Anderson led off the frame with a triple and scored on a groundout by Cole Tate one batter later. Tidwell got the next two batters to ground out to end the inning and keep the lead intact.
Tennessee added one more insurance run with a sacrifice fly from Gilbert in the ninth. Pavolony scored on the play after leading off the inning with a single before advancing to third on a double by Liam Spence.
Junior right hander Camden Sewell pitched the final 1.1 innings to earn the save, his first of the season, and secure the series victory for the Vols.
Tennessee heads back to Knoxville to open a five game homestand this Tuesday vs. Eastern Kentucky. First pitch will be at 6:30 p.m.
Dominant SEC Debut for Tidwell: If right hander Blade Tidwell had any nerves before his SEC debut on Sunday, he definitely didn’t show it as the Loretto, Tennessee, native put forth the best pitching performance of the series with 7.1 dominant innings. Tidwell struck out the first batter he faced and retired the side in order to end the first inning to set the tone for the rest of the game. The true freshman struck out six and scattered four hits to earn his third consecutive win.
Starting with a Series Win: With Sunday’s victory, the Vols earned their first series win on SEC opening weekend since taking two of three games at Missouri in 2014.
Box Score (PDF) | Series Stats (PDF) | Vitello Postgame Interview
-UT Athletics
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Three runs in the bottom of the fifth was enough for No. 3 Alabama to claim the rubber match, 3-0, over No. 21 Tennessee Sunday afternoon at Rhoads Stadium.
Tennessee (21-5, 2-4 SEC) received another strong pitching performance from junior Ashley Rogers in the circle as she shutdown the Tide through the first four innings. The Athens, Tennessee, native worked three 1-2-3 innings in the first, second and fourth. She allowed just one Alabama baserunner on a walk in the third.
In the fifth, Alabama (24-2, 5-1 SEC) tagged Rogers as it strung together three runs on three hits. After a leadoff fly out to start the bottom of the fifth, Claire Jenkins drew a one-out walk and was advanced to second by Savannah Woodard on a single to right.
Lexi Kilfoyl drove in Jenkins for the games’ first run as she singled to right field. Jenkins went from second to home on the hit and just beat the tag at the plate. Woodard was able to make it around to third on the play.
Maddie Morgan was next up at the plate and reached on a fielder’s choice to Kaitlin Parsons at second base as Parsons threw home to get Woodard attempting to score. The throw home was in time, but Woodard was able to slide in and beat the tag to plate Alabama’s second run of the inning.
A single to left field loaded the bases for the Tide’s KB Sides who drew a walk on nine pitches as Kilfoyl scored the final run of the inning.
Rogers got out of the inning as she induced a lineout from Alexis Mack and a fielder’s choice from Bailey Hemphill, which Tennessee third baseman Chelsea Seggern fielded and stepped on third for the final out of the fifth.
The Lady Vol pitcher tossed six innings, struck out two, walked three and allowed three runs on three hits.
Offensively, Tennessee was once again able to get hits off Alabama’s Montana Fouts but was unable to push any runs across the plate. UT ended the day with six hits, but also stranded six runners on base.
Ashley Morgan had the best day at the dish for the Orange & White, going 2-for-3 with a single and a double.
Fouts tossed a complete-game for Alabama, allowing no runs on six hits and striking out eight.
UP NEXT
Tennessee returns home to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium for a Wednesday doubleheader against Kennesaw State, starting at 4 p.m. ET.
-UT Athletics
This weekend Carly Pearce debut a song that she co-wrote to one of her musical idols — Loretta Lynn.
Carly shares the story about being introduced to Loretta’s music and also about the new song, “My grandma introduced to me to her music when I was a little girl, and made sure I understood that if I was going to sing country music being from Kentucky— I had to know the importance of Miss Loretta Lynn. I’ve always loved her, but it wasn’t until the last year that I really FELT what she’s sang about all these years— and just how much we really do have in common. I wrote this song recently with Shane McAnally & Brandy Clark as a letter to her, saying all the things I wish I could say to her & sang it for the first time last night on my favorite stage. Thank you Loretta, for making me feel like it’s okay to write my truth and be unashamed.. just like you.”
Listen to the song here…
Carly is also climbing the country music airplay charts with this fan-favorite from her collection of songs, 29 — this is “Next Girl.”
Photo Credit: John Shearer
Garth Brooks returned to The Ellen DeGeneres Show this past Friday and chatted with guest host tWitch.
Garth talked about Trisha Yearwood and her brush with COVID, and also how the couple used quarantine time to work on their relationship.
Then after talking about Trisha, she jumped in and join the conversation – sharing a story about the first homecooked meal she ever made for Garth, and how that recipe, which ended up in her cookbook, changed because of Garth.
The two also shared the story behind their version of “Shallow.”
Check out both parts of the conversation here…
Part 2 of Garth and Trisha’s conversation with tWitch on The Ellen Show.
Photo Courtesy of Garth Brooks
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee All-America offensive lineman Trey Smith added a crowning achievement on his decorated career as he was awarded with the Torchbearer award, the university’s highest student honor.
Torchbearers are seniors who embody the Volunteer spirit while demonstrating academic excellence and a commitment to serving others.
Chancellor Donde Plowman, Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White and head coach Josh Heupel surprised Smith with the honor via Zoom. Watch here.
-UT Athletics
She might be a small town girl with a guitar full of dreams, but 2021 started off with a bang for Sacha as she was named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country – Class of 2021.
Now her independently released EP The Best Thing, which arrived last July, has surpassed 1 million streams. Sacha shares, “Thank You to all those of you who have purchased/streamed this album it means the world to me. I’m so thankful I was able to get this music out to the world.”
With songs like “Standards,” “Best Thing That Never Happened,” and the high-energy “Cheers” Sacha is finding new fans at every turn.
When it comes to the lead track from The Best Thing, Sacha says, “‘Cheers’ is a self-celebratory tune, from the lady who turns 87 dancing up at the bar, or the guy in the corner who likes to sing Celine Dion at karaoke. I hope the takeaway for fans is the feel-good, ‘be free to express your unique self’ nature of the song”
So, if you’re looking for fun, go ahead…and watch the music video for Sacha’s “Cheers.”
Photo Courtesy of Sacha
Did you catch LANCO on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at the end of last week?
The band was on the popular late night talk show performing their brand new song “Near Mrs.” and afterwards the guys shared, “Pretty cool one to mark off the bucket list!”
Check out their performance right here…
Photo Courtesy of Sony Music Nashville
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper and senior forward Rennia Davis participated in a Zoom media availability on Saturday in advance of Sunday’s NCAA First Round game vs. Middle Tennessee.
The No. 3 Lady Vols and No. 14 seed Lady Raiders will meet at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin at 2 p.m. ET (1 CT). The contest will be televised by ABC and carried on the Lady Vol Radio Network.
Opening Statement:
“This game feels like it is a long time coming. We’ve been off for a long time and have been down here in San Antonio for a few days now. So, we are excited to be getting closer to game day and game time, and our team is looking forward to it. We’ve got a tough opponent that knows how to win, and they’ll be very disciplined and have a game plan that they’ll come out and execute. So, we have to be locked in. You don’t just walk out here and win, you have to walk out and be a really good basketball team to continue to advance.”
On what her reaction is to the NCAA tournament differences between the men’s and women’s as far as swag bags, weights, etc., and how does she make sure her team is focused for what takes place tomorrow on the court:
“Well, I think there is a lot there. On the way down, we didn’t know what it would look like. We talked to the team about handling whatever it is. It’s not going to look normal, and we knew it wouldn’t look normal. It’s not been perfect. There have been some things, obviously, that we would like to change, but our players have really handled everything well. They have moved from event to event very well, they’ve been flexible, and for us, we’re handling things. It is disappointing when you see the pictures and you see the discrepancies between the two tournaments. I think it’s really disappointing. But when you’re around our team here, they’ve been grateful. They have been wonderful to deal with, and I think they are just excited to play basketball.”
On what life has looked like inside the NCAA tournament bubble:
“Well, the practice times have been a bit all over the map, in terms of what times they have been. You might have an early one, and you have a practice then a COVID test. With the COVID test, you’re allowed an hour-and-a-half to two hours from door to door to get that finished and finalized. So, that has taken up quite a bit of time. Once we were out of quarantine, we were able to move into a meeting space, where we can kind of watch film, the players can come do treatment and they can have study halls. Meals have been, basically for the most part, delivered, so they come in boxes and you’re having meals in your room by yourself. We did have to travel over to Austin to practice on Friday, and we had to leave here at 6:30 in the morning on Friday to go over and practice. So, that was after coming off a late-night practice, and we walked off the court at 9 p.m. on Thursday night. So, logistically, things haven’t been the easiest, but we’ve handled it.”
On what she has seen from MT in preparing for them this week, and what is at the top of her priority list for this game:
“Well, there are a couple things, obviously. Annie (Anastasia) Hayes is a terrific and dynamic scorer for them. She does a great job getting to the basket and getting herself to the free-throw line. Their system is set up for her to do that, because they are putting four shooters behind the three-point line and they are going to spread you out. Basically, it is saying, pick what you want to do. Do you want to help off on to her, and she’ll kick to threes, or do you want to let her go one on one, and she’s a 26-point scorer going one on one? So, I think that is where they present a challenge to anybody they are playing, and you’ve got to decide how you’re going to guard. I think, defensively, they’ve got some players that’ll get after you, and they’ll try to pressure the ball a bit and try to deny some passes. Then they are going to play hard, they are going to be very well disciplined, and they’re going to play hard and not back down.”
On how big this match-up is for the state and her program for the high-profile nature of it:
“Well, I think you’re right, and Coach Insell has meant a lot to girls’ basketball in the state of Tennessee, and obviously women’s basketball on a national scale as well. Growing up in the state in the time he was coaching a powerhouse in Shelbyville, you knew who he was, and you know he was consistently producing All-Americans and national championship teams. I had an opportunity to play for him in AAU for a few summers, I loved playing for him, and he does a great job motivating his players. I really have a lot of respect for him in how he coaches and what he’s been able to do. So, I think it’s such a winning program, and he has a lot of respect in our community. I think that it is a big game for the state of Tennessee.”
On how much she thinks her team will try to play to their strengths in this game Sunday, with how they can use their board play to their advantage from Coach Insell’s comments on their rebounding strengths:
“Well, the good thing is, we are not going into this game saying, ‘Let’s get the offensive boards, we haven’t done that this year, so let’s try that.’ We’re going in to do what we’ve done all year long, and I think that’s important. 100 percent, I think I could’ve answered that question for him, and I would’ve known that’s what he would say, just because of size and stats to be honest with you. But they’ll be disciplined, they’ll box out, and we will have to be really good on the boards to be able to continue to outrebound our opponents.”
On navigating freshmen and sophomores through the tournament for the first time:
“It’s going to be tough but attainable. I feel like I haven’t competed in a tournament since my freshman year because that was the last time it felt like we got far enough, so this is new for all of us. We’re all going to have to help each other out, and we have coaches that have been there, so we need to listen to what they say, adjust on the fly and be ready all the time.”
On how important it is to go far in the tournament:
“It’s important and attainable for us, because we believe we can do it. That’s the most important aspect of it is believing that we can do it and having confidence in ourselves that we can make a run in this tournament. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing against, we’re going to do whatever it takes to win the game, and I think we’re going to get it done.”
On what needs to be done to beat MT:
“Limiting threes is the biggest thing I’ve seen on film. To put it in perspective, one of our coaches said that they shoot six more (per game) than Arkansas, who we’ve played against, and they shoot a lot of threes. That’s going to be a big thing for us, guarding the three, making them put the ball on the floor, and also use our size on the offensive end.”
On whether she will attack the basket on Sunday:
“I want to attack the basket, get to the free-throw line and create easier opportunities for my teammates, especially in the post. I know we have an advantage in size, so I just want to drive when the defense collapses and get some easy assists. I’m going to do whatever my team needs me to do and not settle for the three.”
On avoiding the upset:
“I always have the same mindset. I know we have the higher seed, but I still feel like we’re the underdogs in this tournament. Not a lot of people think we’re going to get much done after this first game, but we have a lot to prove, and I want to come out with the mentality as if we were the lower seed.”
On the team’s focus, while being mostly isolated while they’ve been down in Texas:
“I can only speak for myself on this, but I enjoy the isolation and the time I have to myself to recharge. I get to do certain stuff alone that I don’t get to do around large groups, so I enjoy and need this time for me so when tomorrow comes I’ll be ready to play.”
Harper Presser | Davis Presser
-UT Athletics
